Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Happy Birthday, Ernie!

Harwell is responsible for me being a baseball fan and it's not even a close race. My family was not into sports at all, and if I hadn't randomly twisted a radio dial in 1977 or 78, landed on WJR and been transfixed by his easy Georgia drawl, I probably wouldn't have found baseball for many many years, and then it would have been at a far less impressionable age.

Oh man, Ernie Harwell! I miss that guy so much. I know it sounds like the most clichéd piece of Americana, but I really used to fall asleep listening to Ernie on my Dad's hand-held radio. Everything about the way be broadcast was perfect. When they brought him back for a few innings during the post-season in 2006, I was glued to my radio (or TV or wherever he was). All the best, Ernie!

I've always lived in Philly (enjoying the wonderful Harry Kalas), and so I've enjoyed Harwell only in limited amounts (during ESPN's Legends stuff on Wednesday Night Baseball a few years ago, for instance). Even in short bursts, I adored him. His delivery and enthusiasm are memorably outstanding. Tigers fans who grew up with Harwell were truly blessed.